For many of us, riding in elevators is a daily occurrence. We step in, press the button for our floor, then step out again when the door opens without giving the ride a second thought. But like any machine, elevators don’t always work as intended. If the elevator doors won’t open, it’s important to know what to do.
Stay Calm
Remaining calm is the best way to stay safe when you’re stuck in an elevator. It might ease your mind to peak at the safety inspection certificate. Every elevator undergoes regular inspections to ensure your safety. The results of that inspection should be signed, dated, and posted inside the elevator car for you to read.
Press The Door Open Button
If you get trapped in an elevator, sometimes a quick press of the Door Open button is all it takes to free yourself. If the doors open and you’re between floors, DO NOT try to climb or crawl out. The elevator could start moving again and cause a medical emergency.
Similarly, you should NEVER try prying open the doors. You’re safe inside the elevator itself. Multiple fail-safes ensure that you’ll never go into a free fall. But if you try to force your way out of an elevator, accidents can happen.
Use The Emergency Phone
Every elevator should be equipped with an emergency call button or phone. When you press the call button or pick up the receiver, you’ll be connected to an elevator monitoring company.
The operator on the other end will ask you a few questions to determine how they can best assist you.
They’ll probably ask you to try the Door Open button again. Humor them and try it again. When it doesn’t work, the operator may be able to open the doors remotely for you. If not, they’ll send someone out to your location as soon as possible.
At that point, all you can do is wait. Although help should arrive before you know it, you may want to conserve your cell phone battery, just in case. You can enable airplane mode if you’re running especially low. Just know that doing so will make it impossible to make calls or connect to the internet from the phone.
Remember That You’re Safe
While you wait for help to arrive, it’s important to remember that you are still perfectly safe. Elevator companies go to great lengths to ensure that their passengers are always safe inside. Sure, you may be late for work or your next appointment. But lots of people get trapped inside elevators every year and it’s usually nothing more than a mild inconvenience.
FAQs
Immediately notify Elevator Technician and attempt to correct the situation and restore the cab to normal services if it is determined that such action can be safety taken; Communicate to EH&S to inform them of entrapment/elevator issue.
How do you respond to an elevator entrapment? ›
Immediately notify Elevator Technician and attempt to correct the situation and restore the cab to normal services if it is determined that such action can be safety taken; Communicate to EH&S to inform them of entrapment/elevator issue.
Who gets you out of a stuck elevator? ›
Only a qualified technician or the Fire Department should perform a rescue, if one is deemed necessary.
How do you calm down when stuck in an elevator? ›
Keep the following tips in mind to stay calm should you find yourself in a panic during an elevator entrapment:
- Don't try to get out of the stuck elevator yourself. ...
- Take slow, steady breaths and focus on the action items you need to take to fix the situation rather than your feelings about the situation.
YOU CAN CALL 911 which will direct you to the nearest emergency responder. You can also google search “closest fire department” making sure your location setting is on. The fire department has professionals TRAINED in evacuating trapped passengers. Remember, stay calm, stay put, and above all, stay safe!
Should you climb out of a stuck elevator? ›
Elevator entrapments can be very stressful, as many people might panic due to claustrophobia or become anxious or irate due to the delay. In order to avoid potential injury, do not try to climb out of the elevator or force open the doors, remain calm and wait for help to arrive.
Will an elevator close on you? ›
Most elevators will stop closing if there is something obstructing the doorway. But, this is not always the case. In addition, doors can malfunction and close on a person trying to get in or out of the elevator.
What is the two fight rule for using the elevator? ›
Follow the “Two-Flight” Rule
This rule insists you stay out of the elevator if you're going fewer than two floors up or down. Why? You may get some dirty looks from colleagues and fellow passengers if you're adding an extra 20 seconds to their commute or if they have to stop at every other floor.
How long are people usually stuck in elevators? ›
If the building is active, the longest you'll probably be stuck for is about half an hour to an hour. Keep pressing the emergency button till help comes. However, if the building is closed, then you may have a longer wait (an hour or two, up to 8-9 hours at most), depending on where the emergency call goes to.
Do elevators still get stuck? ›
Remember, Elevators Are Safe!
However, there are some things you can do to make the best of a bad situation. For example, it's important to stay calm and avoid panicking. Remember, you have a 1 in 16 million chance of getting stuck in an elevator.
They can use the emergency door key or hoistway unlocking device to open the doors. Once the doors are unlocked, they should descend into the stalled elevator car, wearing safety belts and tying off to a secured lifeline. Next, they should signal to the occupants to press the floor button.
What is the fear of getting stuck in an elevator called? ›
Claustrophobia (Fear of Enclosed Spaces) Fear of confined spaces (claustrophobia) becomes a phobia when it interferes with your ability to function at work, school, or other daily activities. Common triggers include tunnels, elevators, trains and airplanes.
Why do I get panic attacks in elevators? ›
One of the most common phobias is claustrophobia, or the fear of enclosed spaces. A person who has claustrophobia may panic when inside a lift, aeroplane, crowded room or other confined area. The cause of anxiety disorders such as phobias is thought to be a combination of genetic vulnerability and life experience.
What is the fear stuck in elevator? ›
Elevator phobia, also known as elevatophobia, is a genuine fear that affects many people. This anxiety can develop due to various reasons, such as fear of enclosed spaces, fear of heights or fear of being trapped.
How long can you breathe in a stuck elevator? ›
A litre is 10cm*10cm*10cm, so a lift 2m*2m*2m contains 8000 litres of air, enough to last 33.5 hours. Elevators are not air tight, so they never Run out of air, but it will get stuffy inside if you are stuck there for hours. Never. Even if forced ventilation/air conditioning stops working the elevator is not air tight.
How do you escape an elevator without power? ›
Press the “Open” Button: If you're near the landing the door will open. Exit the elevator slowly and carefully, as it may not be level with the landing. 2. Press the Alarm or Help Button: Trained emergency personnel will respond within several minutes.
